Five years ago, Angie Dezso, Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher at East Lee Middle School, found herself nearing retirement after a long and successful career as an Accounting and Human Resources Manager in the private sector. Despite the stability and strong salary, something was missing.
"It just was not satisfying to me," Dezso recalled. "Yes, it was important to the company that I worked for. Every company needs those people. I just did not feel like I was making a difference. I'm in the latter part of my career and was getting close to retirement. So I thought to myself, 'I'm just going to change it up and see if I can make a difference."
With conviction, Dezso took a leap of faith into education - a decision that reshaped not only her career path but her purpose. In just four years, she has flourished at East Lee Middle, pouring her energy into building strong relationships with students and helping them discover their own potential.
"I just feel like they need that extra push, and the kids here have so much potential," she said. "They just need someone to believe in them and help them pull that out of them. I'm amazed by them and what they will do for a teacher that will invest in them."
For Dezso, the rewards go far beyond what she expected. The impact she makes on students is matched by the impact they make on her.
"The difference that these kids make in your everyday life - the motivation that they give you to change things for people to help make them better - is so satisfying," she shared. "Did I take a huge pay cut to come here? Yes, I did. But it is worth it to me to make a difference with what I do."
Dezso's journey is a testament to the power of purpose, the value of career reinvention, and the life-changing relationships built in the classrooms of our local public schools every day.